TITUSVILLE – St. Francis Reflections Foundation has received a grant from the Geraldine L. Cabic Charitable Fund at the Community Foundation for Brevard to support the NorthStar Child Grief Program. The grant is earmarked to provide materials and resources for the year-round programs designed to support children who are suffering from grief. The program aims to honor their loved ones while also fostering the coping skills to navigate with their loss. 

“The support we receive from our community helps us serve the increasing number of children and families referred to our NorthStar Program,” said Mary Larson, Director of Community Engagement at St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care. “Funding for this vital program allows us to provide much-needed materials and resources where each member can understand and support one another as they navigate their new normal without their loved one. Gifts to our program send a powerful message to these children and families that their community cares about them. This gives them hope for the journey ahead.”     

The NorthStar Program provides grieving children and their families free access to professional counselors who help them work through their grief by teaching healthy coping skills in a safe and supportive environment. This allows them to begin the process of healing. Currently, nearly 160 children and youth are being cared for through the NorthStar Program.  

“We are not born knowing how to grieve, and often when a death affects a family, children are not given as much time and space as they need to process their emotions,” said Lynn Kiefer, Program Coordinator for NorthStar. “I’m grateful to the Geraldine L. Cabic Foundation for investing in our children through this grant. The NorthStar Program provides critical grief support to children in Brevard County for free, thanks to contributions like this generous gift.” 

St. Francis Reflections Foundation exists to advance the mission of St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care. For more information or to donate to the NorthStar Child Grief Program, visit reflectionslsc.org/foundation or follow the Foundation on Facebook @StFrancisReflectionsFoundation.